Gold flushed out of directors box

05 November 2010 01:37

irmingham have banned West Ham chairman David Gold from the St Andrew's directors box and boardroom area.

The move comes in response to quotes credited to Gold in Friday morning newspapers where he described Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu as 'disgusting'.

Gold's apparent outburst was his latest in claiming that, having sold Blues with business partner David Sullivan to Carson Yeung in 2009, he was offered an honorary role to stay at the club.

It is then alleged by the 73-year-old that the invite to stay at Birmingham was withdrawn in a 'degrading' act because Pannu insinuated in an article that he was too old.

Birmingham have denied all such allegations and have written to West Ham to inform the club of what is essentially a banning order for Gold ahead of Saturday's Premier League match in the Midlands.

A statement on Birmingham's official website read: "Blues acting chairman Peter Pannu, whilst refusing to be drawn into a war of words with the previous owners, wishes to clarify that Carson Yeung and Co had never offered David Gold to remain behind as 'Chairman', which would have made absolutely no sense.

"He was offered an opportunity to remain as vice president (non-executive) upon his request, which he refused.

"All the current allegations are false and untrue and the club will keep all options open."

A copy of the letter sent to Hammers secretary Liz Coley on behalf of the Blues board has been printed in the Birmingham Mail.

It states that due to the Gold's "inflammatory comments" the board "has taken the decision to withdraw Mr Gold's personal invitation to our fixture tomorrow and he will therefore not be permitted to enter the directors seating or boardroom area'.

The letter continued: "The board feel that they are left with no other option but to withdraw Mr Gold's invitation due to the above and that this is the appropriate action to take, in addition the board are also mindful of potential security issues for Mr Gold and a possible adverse reaction that may arise from the Birmingham supporters as a result of the comments made.

"Furthermore, as our president (Yeung) will also be flying in for the game, the board felt that a harmonious boardroom environment should not be affected as we all want a good atmosphere on the day and a good game of football."